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1 my bootfitter is suspicious of boa and he knows more than me
2 it’s weird how all of the boot companies adopted it all at once
3 other than touring gear most hard goods design has been stagnant, the industry seems desperate for some new flashy tech (that also makes the boots more expensive)
4 I almost sheared off my buckles doing creeper slides this winter, I’m pretty sure a boa wouldn’t have survived like 2 hits
5 everyone selling it says the same vague line about how it “wraps the foot”
realistically I’ll buy whatever my bootfitter tells me to get. Dude has like 30 years of experience or something. When I go back in a couple seasons if he’s stoked on boa, I will be too
**This post was edited on May 16th 2024 at 7:27:47pm
i heard that if you want that k2 boot but your feet are wider so u can’t fit into tilts than boa would feel similar. could be complete bs
hi_vis360My main reasons for being suspicious of BOA are:
1 my bootfitter is suspicious of boa and he knows more than me
2 it’s weird how all of the boot companies adopted it all at once
3 other than touring gear most hard goods design has been stagnant, the industry seems desperate for some new flashy tech (that also makes the boots more expensive)
4 I almost sheared off my buckles doing creeper slides this winter, I’m pretty sure a boa wouldn’t have survived like 2 hits
5 everyone selling it says the same vague line about how it “wraps the foot”
realistically I’ll buy whatever my bootfitter tells me to get. Dude has like 30 years of experience or something. When I go back in a couple seasons if he’s stoked on boa, I will be too
**This post was edited on May 16th 2024 at 7:27:47pm
BOA is shit. Its anecdotal, but I had the system break and would not release on my snowboard boot years ago. I literally could not get the boot off in the Alpine at Copper. We eventually managed to get it off my foot with some damage to the boot, and no shops in Denver were able to fix it. None. I took the boot to BOA HQ in Denver and after a bunch of hijinks they got it replaced.
ChunderfaceBOA is shit. Its anecdotal, but I had the system break and would not release on my snowboard boot years ago. I literally could not get the boot off in the Alpine at Copper. We eventually managed to get it off my foot with some damage to the boot, and no shops in Denver were able to fix it. None. I took the boot to BOA HQ in Denver and after a bunch of hijinks they got it replaced.
hi_vis360My main reasons for being suspicious of BOA are:
1 my bootfitter is suspicious of boa and he knows more than me
2 it’s weird how all of the boot companies adopted it all at once
3 other than touring gear most hard goods design has been stagnant, the industry seems desperate for some new flashy tech (that also makes the boots more expensive)
4 I almost sheared off my buckles doing creeper slides this winter, I’m pretty sure a boa wouldn’t have survived like 2 hits
5 everyone selling it says the same vague line about how it “wraps the foot”
realistically I’ll buy whatever my bootfitter tells me to get. Dude has like 30 years of experience or something. When I go back in a couple seasons if he’s stoked on boa, I will be too
**This post was edited on May 16th 2024 at 7:27:47pm
Pretty much this.
Hopefully I won't need boots until several years from now and maybe I'll feel differently or they'll make updates to the system if it's still around.
hi_vis360My main reasons for being suspicious of BOA are:
1 my bootfitter is suspicious of boa and he knows more than me
2 it’s weird how all of the boot companies adopted it all at once
3 other than touring gear most hard goods design has been stagnant, the industry seems desperate for some new flashy tech (that also makes the boots more expensive)
4 I almost sheared off my buckles doing creeper slides this winter, I’m pretty sure a boa wouldn’t have survived like 2 hits
5 everyone selling it says the same vague line about how it “wraps the foot”
realistically I’ll buy whatever my bootfitter tells me to get. Dude has like 30 years of experience or something. When I go back in a couple seasons if he’s stoked on boa, I will be too
**This post was edited on May 16th 2024 at 7:27:47pm
1. Boot fitters can often be the most jaded, conservative people who refuse to embrace anything new. This not only applies to technology but also to fitting processes. I have had so many conversations with boot fitters about how to fit out boots but they want to do it their way, which results in damaging the boot. When boot fitters refuse something from the onset, it doesn't always mean they are right. This is coming from someone who was a boot fitter.
2. All brands didn't adopt it at once. Four brands out of twelve adopted BOA in the first year (23/24). BOA's first move was to approach the brands that were existing BOA partners: Atomic, Salomon, Fischer, and K2. They all brought it into their range because they all felt the same thing - the same boot with BOA fit better than the same boot with buckles. For the second year (24/25), BOA reached out to more brands, specifically Tecnica and Nordica. And in the third year, you will see more. Brands are adding it to their range mold series by mold series, and it will take a few years before you see it on different boots from numerous brands. Definitely not happening all at once.
3. Yes, BOA is more expensive but at the same time it brings a benefit. We think it's worth it. For many brands, there are still buckle options existing.
4. If you nuke a buckle, you'll probably nuke a BOA dial. But a buckle will cost you money while BOA will give you free replacement part(s). For life. I don't see any buckle company doing that.
5. See point #2 - it's the same system for all brands, so it makes sense that all brands are telling the same story.
JalmarKalmarWhat is creeper slide? never heard of them before. Do they have something to do with minecraft creepers?
It’s just a nugget but with a wall on one side, if you don’t have fat skis your boot is grinding against the wall
This is what my buckles look like now, they are now razor sharp lol but they remained clipped and functional for the whole session. I’m pretty sure a BOA would have been popping off constantly?
Really appreciate the input! I get the point about bootfitters being crusty and jaded, but results are results and I simply can’t even imagine my current boots fitting any better. So I’m going to stick with his take. If BOA is as good as you say it is, I’m sure he will be convinced in the future. The part about the brands already having a partnership with BOA makes sense too. I’m still not convinced it will be able to handle street skiing abuse, I realize that’s a niche thing but it’s important to me
onenerdykid1. Boot fitters can often be the most jaded, conservative people who refuse to embrace anything new. This not only applies to technology but also to fitting processes. I have had so many conversations with boot fitters about how to fit out boots but they want to do it their way, which results in damaging the boot. When boot fitters refuse something from the onset, it doesn't always mean they are right. This is coming from someone who was a boot fitter.
2. All brands didn't adopt it at once. Four brands out of twelve adopted BOA in the first year (23/24). BOA's first move was to approach the brands that were existing BOA partners: Atomic, Salomon, Fischer, and K2. They all brought it into their range because they all felt the same thing - the same boot with BOA fit better than the same boot with buckles. For the second year (24/25), BOA reached out to more brands, specifically Tecnica and Nordica. And in the third year, you will see more. Brands are adding it to their range mold series by mold series, and it will take a few years before you see it on different boots from numerous brands. Definitely not happening all at once.
3. Yes, BOA is more expensive but at the same time it brings a benefit. We think it's worth it. For many brands, there are still buckle options existing.
4. If you nuke a buckle, you'll probably nuke a BOA dial. But a buckle will cost you money while BOA will give you free replacement part(s). For life. I don't see any buckle company doing that.
5. See point #2 - it's the same system for all brands, so it makes sense that all brands are telling the same story.
For me it’s just more moving parts that could break, simplicity is honest a huge factor for me, and the ability to fix a buckle is significantly easier than a BOA system.
ZenyattaKickFor me it’s just more moving parts that could break, simplicity is honest a huge factor for me, and the ability to fix a buckle is significantly easier than a BOA system.
its less parts than buckles,
and is just as easy to replace as buckles. like you seriously just pop the thing off and set the cable in there. The cable is about as difficult to replace as a shoelace.
Plus now you don't have to go digging through a box of 200 different buckles in a shop trying to find one that works on your boot. And you can get replacement systems for free.
The only thing about the BOA hate that sucks is that people are clearly just blindly hating. If you try the boots and don't like them that's perfectly fair. But when people refuse to try them and make shit up to slander a system that every single person who has actually tried is saying is a great improvement, that's pretty fucking dumb.
profa_212its less parts than buckles,
and is just as easy to replace as buckles. like you seriously just pop the thing off and set the cable in there. The cable is about as difficult to replace as a shoelace.
Plus now you don't have to go digging through a box of 200 different buckles in a shop trying to find one that works on your boot. And you can get replacement systems for free.
The only thing about the BOA hate that sucks is that people are clearly just blindly hating. If you try the boots and don't like them that's perfectly fair. But when people refuse to try them and make shit up to slander a system that every single person who has actually tried is saying is a great improvement, that's pretty fucking dumb.
profa_212its less parts than buckles,
and is just as easy to replace as buckles. like you seriously just pop the thing off and set the cable in there. The cable is about as difficult to replace as a shoelace.
Plus now you don't have to go digging through a box of 200 different buckles in a shop trying to find one that works on your boot. And you can get replacement systems for free.
The only thing about the BOA hate that sucks is that people are clearly just blindly hating. If you try the boots and don't like them that's perfectly fair. But when people refuse to try them and make shit up to slander a system that every single person who has actually tried is saying is a great improvement, that's pretty fucking dumb.
You cannot honestly convince me that a BOA system is less complex than my full tilt buckle I’m sorry man. There is like two parts the buckle and a ratchet lmaoo
ZenyattaKickYou cannot honestly convince me that a BOA system is less complex than my full tilt buckle I’m sorry man. There is like two parts the buckle and a ratchet lmaoo
The boa is two parts. I have the parts on hand. It’s easier than a buckle. The boa literally clicks off and clicks back on. So you can’t “break it off” like you can a buckle.
ZenyattaKickYou cannot honestly convince me that a BOA system is less complex than my full tilt buckle I’m sorry man. There is like two parts the buckle and a ratchet lmaoo
Congrats!....Seriously. You're the exact person I am talking about in my previous post. Absolute brain rot
you can very easily replace the dial in sub 30 seconds. The wire can be replaced with one screw. You could do both without even taking the boot off.
PartyBullshiitThe boa is two parts. I have the parts on hand. It’s easier than a buckle. The boa literally clicks off and clicks back on. So you can’t “break it off” like you can a buckle.
**This post was edited on May 18th 2024 at 9:46:54am
**This post was edited on May 18th 2024 at 9:46:54am
Are you blind? It’s 2 parts. It’s the boa knob and the cable. 2 parts. I was just including pictures of the boot portion and the bottom of the knob for reference.
PartyBullshiitPretty stupid honestly. You don’t take apart the knob and replace parts. You replace the entire knob. So again. It a knob and a cable. 2 parts.
it's still more intricate parts that can break. I agree that it looks like it would be easier to replace when it does break, but generally more parts = more chance of breaking.
PartyBullshiitPretty stupid honestly. You don’t take apart the knob and replace parts. You replace the entire knob. So again. It a knob and a cable. 2 parts.
The entire point is that there are more parts to break. And they're plastic parts. It's not 2 parts lol. I already posted about the stupid ass system breaking and failing to release while I had a boot on my foot. The internals break. So what if you can replace it after it breaks? You can replace anything after it breaks. I'd rather have something not break - like a buckle. Also, can you STFU?
TOAST.it's still more intricate parts that can break. I agree that it looks like it would be easier to replace when it does break, but generally more parts = more chance of breaking.
I don’t disagree at all. I wasn’t saying nothing can fail. What I’m saying is you as the user only have 2 parts to replace. You don’t take it apart and replace the guts. It’s a one for one swap. When I change my oil filter I don’t count the housing, the paper element, the filter cap etc all as separate parts. It’s 1 oil filter that I change.
ChunderfaceThe entire point is that there are more parts to break. And they're plastic parts. It's not 2 parts lol. I already posted about the stupid ass system breaking and failing to release while I had a boot on my foot. The internals break. So what if you can replace it after it breaks? You can replace anything after it breaks. I'd rather have something not break - like a buckle. Also, can you STFU?
Buckles don’t break? I am willing to bet anything under the sun that more buckles have broke than alpine boa systems. Buckles break all the time. wtf are you talking about.
ChunderfaceThe entire point is that there are more parts to break. And they're plastic parts. It's not 2 parts lol. I already posted about the stupid ass system breaking and failing to release while I had a boot on my foot. The internals break. So what if you can replace it after it breaks? You can replace anything after it breaks. I'd rather have something not break - like a buckle. Also, can you STFU?
You’ve never had an alpine boa fail. So you’re talking completely out of your asshole btw. Snowboard boa isn’t alpine boa. Not even close. You’re the classic case of someone talking shit about a product they’ve never used.
PartyBullshiitYou’ve never had an alpine boa fail. So you’re talking completely out of your asshole btw. Snowboard boa isn’t alpine boa. Not even close. You’re the classic case of someone talking shit about a product they’ve never
hahaha ya ok dude boa systems aren’t widely known to fail. There’s a reason for its reputation. The alpine system just came out and you’re comparing it to ski buckets. And this makes sense to you.
Chunderfacehahaha ya ok dude boa systems aren’t widely known to fail. There’s a reason for its reputation. The alpine system just came out and you’re comparing it to ski buckets. And this makes sense to you.
Words matter. You’ve never had a ALPINE BOA fail. You keep comparing shitty snowboard boa. They are not the same no matter how much you keep parroting nonsense.
I’m only talking about alpine boa. Period. What I pictured. What I actually have and use. What you haven’t used.
Chunderfacehahaha ya ok dude boa systems aren’t widely known to fail. There’s a reason for its reputation. The alpine system just came out and you’re comparing it to ski buckets. And this makes sense to you.
And let’s not glaze over your absolutely bullshit statement that buckles don’t break. Lmao. Right. There’s a reason they took years to develop this new boa system. Because buckles so fail. And this system not only works better than buckles when it comes to repairs and replacements but it’s also better at making a boot fit better. Which is a 100% fact.
PartyBullshiitAnd let’s not glaze over your absolutely bullshit statement that buckles don’t break. Lmao. Right. There’s a reason they took years to develop this new boa system. Because buckles so fail. And this system not only works better than buckles when it comes to repairs and replacements but it’s also better at making a boot fit better. Which is a 100% fact.
But I never said buckles don't break. They didn't develop alpine BOA because buckles break. That's ridiculous. Claiming any BOA system is more durable that an all metal buckle is just fan boy shit at this point.
Why do you have so many spare BOA parts sitting there?
ChunderfaceBut I never said buckles don't break. They didn't develop alpine BOA because buckles break. That's ridiculous. Claiming any BOA system is more durable that an all metal buckle is just fan boy shit at this point.
Why do you have so many spare BOA parts sitting there?
Already contradicted yourself. You said you’d rather have stuff not break. Like buckles. Lmao.
im not claiming anything. I’m going by the information that’s been provided from the people who worked years designing and testing the product.
part of the reason for the new boa design was 100% the ease of replacement compared to buckles that break. That’s again just a fact that’s known if you’ve been following the product. Which you clearly have not.
I have 1 spare boa kit because why not be prepared. I haven’t claimed they’re bombproof and cannot break period. I’d rather have the parts on hand and not need them than needing and not having. Boa can break. Absolutely, it’s just harder to break than a buckle, easier to replace than a buckle, fits better than a buckle and is cheaper to repair than buckles.
PartyBullshiitim not claiming anything. I’m going by the information that’s been provided from the people who worked years designing and testing the product.
I massively appreciate the time that boot designers put in on this website educating us about these products, and they are obviously experts on them since they designed them. However, I would be cautious about blindly following whatever they say because they are employed by Amer or K2, and they want us to buy their boots. I’m not saying that they’re trying to mislead us, but they aren’t going to be neutral in this situation either. If I designed BOA, I would want as many people as possible to buy BOA. This is why I’m going to trust my bootfitter first, because their motivation is to put me in the best boot possible, regardless of brand or design.
hi_vis360I massively appreciate the time that boot designers put in on this website educating us about these products, and they are obviously experts on them since they designed them. However, I would be cautious about blindly following whatever they say because they are employed by Amer or K2, and they want us to buy their boots. I’m not saying that they’re trying to mislead us, but they aren’t going to be neutral in this situation either. If I designed BOA, I would want as many people as possible to buy BOA. This is why I’m going to trust my bootfitter first, because their motivation is to put me in the best boot possible, regardless of brand or design.
I do not think @onenerdykid or @tomPietrowski are biased towards boa. They’ve both be completely honest about the pros and cons of the system. They didn’t design boa. They had input in the r&d of implementing boa into their products. Unless boa is secretly cutting checks to them I have full faith in their opinion.
As far as your boot fitter goes as has been pointed out a lot of fitters are stuck in their old ways and aren’t open to new tech or items. Just because “your” fitter is stuck in their old ways doesn’t make their opinion any more valid or reliable. In fact. I’d say very much the opposite. His goal is to get you into the boot “he thinks” is best. If he already hates on boa then he’s biased. Other wise he’d be recommending at the very least to try boa.
